PETALING JAYA: The package says it’s a well-known brand of engine oil, and it looks every bit authentic. But it’s not.
Counterfeit engine oils have become a bane to consumers, say motoring groups.
These products are usually made from reprocessed lubricant oil waste or hydraulics and using them could lead to road accidents due to engine failure, said Malaysia Road and Transportation Safety Association president Nik Mohd Salim.
“They can affect the lifespan of a vehicle’s engine. The viscosity levels do not meet standard specifications, causing the engine to lack performance. They will also lead to high fuel consumption.
“Mechanical or engine failure, through using fake engine oil, can lead to accidents as the engine can jam up with the driver losing control at high speed,” he said.
Engine lubricants, he said, were created to smooth out the moving mechanical parts while maintaining the engine’s temperature.
“The use of fake oil will only result in the consumers having to face the problem of engine breakdowns,” he added.
Asian Trucker Media editor Stefan Pertz, who organised a “Spot the Fake – Protect your Assets” seminar in Malaysia last month highlighting the issue of counterfeit automotive products, said these “dealers” typically replicate the packaging of other famous oil brands.
“They then fill it with used engine oil of lower quality. Most people would not know the difference,” he said.
“The manufacturer’s brand will also take a hit as people blame them for any technical difficulties,” he added.
Pertz, who has covered news on the Malaysian automotive sector for 15 years, said one red flag would be the prices of the items.
“If they are excessively cheap, offering 50% discounts, it is probably a fake product.
“Another way is to check with the original equipment manufacturer if a specific seller or dealer is legitimate, through its website,” he said, adding that most automotive products came with a QR code which could be used to verify if a product is authentic or not.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah urged the public to be wiser when it comes to choosing car service workshops.
“Some operators deliberately sell fake oil at the same market price. Users should always go to workshops that use original engine oils and spare parts,” he said.
Saravanan said while complaints were not so rampant, Fomca had been engaging with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry whenever it received any feedback.
